Vicki Ellen (Okerbloom) Buwa, of Niles
Jan. 23, 1955-May 18, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 9:16 am Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Vicki Ellen (Okerbloom) Buwa, 63, of Niles, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018, at the Chalet of Niles.

She was born to the late Robert D. and Margaret I. (Iverson) Okerbloom, in Niles on Jan. 23, 1955.

Vicki E. Buwa

She married Joseph Huss and the couple had two children. The marriage later ended in divorce.

She had another child and later married Thomas Buwa. This marriage ended in divorce.

She worked in the public for many years until her health issues did not allow. She was a loving, kind and generous person.

Vicki loved her family, especially her grandchildren, for they were her pride and joy.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Gary Okerbloom.

Vicki is survived by her son, Thomas A. (Wendie) Huss of Niles; daughters, Trelee A. Huss of Niles and Tonya A. (Thomas) Beard of South Bend; eight grandchildren, Cody (Kara) Okonski, Treg (Tara) Huss, Rickey Beard, Alexander (Grace) Huss, Shyle Short, Gabriel Beard, Kaden Santana and Noah Beard; three great-grandchildren, Kayden, Mia and Kyson; a brother, Robert D. Okerbloom of Las Vegas; along with several nieces and nephews.

A gathering of friends and family will be hosted from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Brown Funeral Home in Niles. A private burial will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the family in care of her daughter Tonya Beard. Photos, condolences, and memories can be left for Vicki at BrownFuneralHome.com or Facebook.com/brownfuneralhome. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Niles.

Andrew Lane
March 2, 1948 - June 7, 2018

NILES - Andrew Vernon Lane, 70, was born March 2, 1948 in Niles, Michigan and passed away on June 7, 2018.

Mr. Lane attended Brandywine High School and was a graduate of Ferris State College. He retired from General Motors Tech Center in Warren, Michigan. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Peggy Lane; and sister, Iris Clark. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Shirley Lane of Detroit, Michigan. He is also survived by his son, Cedric Lane of Maryland; and daughter, Myra Mellish of Georgia. Siblings, Denise Lane and Nadine (J.W.) Holt, of Niles Michigan also survive him.

The Funeral Service is 12:00 noon Thursday, with visitation one hour before the service at Cobb Funeral Home.

Burial will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, MI.

Published in South Bend Tribune on June 12, 2018

Clarence Richard Outlaw Sr., 78, of Niles
July 24, 1939 –—May 28, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:31 am Friday, June 1, 2018

Clarence Richard Outlaw Sr., 78, of Niles, died peacefully Monday, May 28, 2018, in the comfort of his family’s presence in his daughter’s residence.

He was born July 24, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, to Clarence and Rose Mae Outlaw.

He married Christeen Coleman Sept. 28, 1962, in Niles. She preceded him in death May 16, 2002. He was also preceded by his parents; two sisters, Vera Danzy, Virginia Pride; and one brother, Clarence Outlaw, Jr.

Clarence Richard Outlaw Sr.

Clarence served honorably in the U.S. Air Force. He was a farmer and worked at Clark Equipment Company. He held a variety of jobs throughout his life that allowed him to meet many people.

Clarence was very family oriented and loved family get togethers. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Clarence had a great sense of humor and made everybody laugh that came in contact with him.

He was a member of the Niles Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church where he served as a Deacon and a member of the Food Pantry Team.

Clarence will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his three daughters, Patricia Outlaw, Valerie Outlaw, Princella Outlaw, all of Niles; two sons, Clarence R. Outlaw Jr., Joe Jones, both of Niles; 10 grandchildren, Christine Glover, of Cassopolis, Candis Grady, Gary (fiance’ Sonya Kirtdoll) Grady, Reshonda Outlaw, all of Niles, Courtney Outlaw, Taylor Outlaw, both of Elkhart, Quientin Irby, Devin Mahone, Roderick Outlaw, all of Niles; 10 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Joyce Thompson, Barbara Williams, Deborah Green, all of Niles, Marilyn Dodd, of Cassopolis, two brothers, Roger (Lorraine) Outlaw, Sr. of Niles, Douglas Outlaw, of South Bend; special friend Pat Taylor, of Niles; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather at 11 a.m. Monday, June 4, 2018. The service will start at noon in Niles Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church, 33332 US Highway 12, Niles.

Mr. Outlaw will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Christeen, in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles when he will be accorded full Military Honors.

The family prefers contributions in Clarence’s memory be made to Heartland Hospice, 8075 Creekside Drive, Suite 120, Portage, Michigan 49024.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

Rudolph H. Schultz, of Niles
Nov. 3, 1942-May 10, 2018

Niles Daily Star, Published 7:55 am Monday, May 14, 2018

Rudolph H. Schultz, 75, of Niles, passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

Rudy was born on Nov. 3, 1942, in Dowagiac to the late Rosie Airney.

He is preceded in death by his mother, his wife, Diana; siblings, Chester and Walter Schultz.

On July 31, 1961, Rudy married Diana Dillavou. Together they celebrated 40 years of marriage before her passing in 2002.

Surviving are his children, Randy (Beth) Schultz, Brenda Krueger, Jacki (Brian) Stevenson, and Denny (Marinda) Schultz; his brother, Tim Airney; sisters, Norma Airney and Tina Schultz; grandchildren, Jocelyn Schultz, Janelle Sprow, Savannah Krueger, Hunter Krueger, Jena Stevenson, Rachel Stevenson, Devon Stantz, Tena Schultz, and Braylon Schultz; and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was an employee at Niles Board of Public Works-Utilities, until retiring in 2003.

Rudy requested that there would be no services. Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan, MI, is handling arrangements. Rudy will be buried next to his late wife, Diana, in Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, Michigan. Online condolences may be made at hovenfunerals.com.

Sylvia Marie Stiles
Nov. 10, 1931-Oct 6, 2016

 

Sylvia Marie Stiles

Sylvia Marie Stiles, 84, of Berrien Center died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at the Niles Westside Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Pastor Darrel le Roux officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Niles Westside SDA Church School..

Sylvia was born Nov. 10, 1931, in Niles, the daughter of Carl and Emma (Villwock) Schadler. She married Gale Stiles on May 12, 1956, in Niles. Early in life she worked in the produce department of the A&P grocery store in Niles. She later was a teacher’s aide at Blossomland Learning Center, and she also was an Avon representative. Sylvia enjoyed gardening and being outdoors, and she loved family gatherings. She was always ready to take in a stray animal.

Survivors include her son, Mike (Gely) Stiles of Niles; two grandchildren, Michael and Christina Jackson; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Brinkley Jackson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gale; daughter, Deborah Jackson; two brothers, Carl and Robert Schadler; and two sisters, Irene Hile and Gertrude Schadler.

Ruth Mary Vassor
April 1, 1925-June 15, 2018

Ruth Mary Vassar, age 93 years of Niles, Michigan died peacefully at 5:55 p.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018 with family gathered at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness.

She was born on April 1, 1925 in Memphis, Tennessee to Theoda and Sarah (Poston) Emmons, and was raised by her aunt, Alberta Emmons.  She graduated from The J. C. Cobin High School of the Agricultural Mechanical and Normal College in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  She has lived in Niles since 1944, and was employed at the former Niles plant of Simplicity Pattern Company for thirty-six years.

Ruth was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Niles.  She was very active since 1946 in the Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation, Michigan Jurisdiction.  She was a member and Past Worthy Matron of Miriam Chapter #56 OES, PHA in Niles, Past Grand Worthy Matron for the State of Michigan, Past Illustrious Commandress of Alzabir Court #131, Daughters of Isis in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Past Loyal Lady Ruler of the Faith Assembly, Golden Circle of Kalamazoo.

She volunteered for twelve years with the United Way of Niles and also volunteered at the Niles Senior Center.  She enjoyed bowling on leagues in South Bend and Niles.

On July 3, 1945 in Niles she married Lucius Vassar, Jr. with whom she celebrated the remarkable Sixty-second anniversary of their wedding prior to his death on January 7, 2008.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, her mother, Albert Emmons, and by siblings, Iretta Smith, Erma Davis, and Samuel Wilson.

Surviving family includes her children, Gwen (& Luther) Taylor, Sr. of South Bend, Indiana, Margaret (& Dennis) Thompson of Wichita, Kansas, Vernita “Tuffy” Vassar of Niles, Jacqueline (& Benjamin) Johnson of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Lucius Adam (& Rema) Vassar of Detroit, Michigan; a very special son, Levi (& Toni) Trotter; grandchildren, Luther (& Andrea) Taylor, Jr, Endesha (& Tashanda) Johnson, Sr., Jua (& Nefertari) Johnson, Sekou (& Sheniaka) Johnson, Lucius Addison Ali Vassar, Rahman (& Kelly) Johnson, Jenice (& Antwan) Myers, Kendal Vassar, Sloane Vassar, Cadence Vassar, Reva (& Carter) Tolbert, Robyn (& Robert) Warrick, and Raniyah Reynolds; great-grandchildren Zachary, Autumn, Braylon, Carson, Jayla, Payton, Morgan, Asia, Shania, Endesha, Jr., Ayanna, Janea, Elise, Nora, and Zuri; and Ruth’s brother, Ira Kelly, Jr. of Los Angeles, California, two Goddaughters,  several nieces and nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service for Ruth Vassar will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry Street in Niles with the Rev. Bryant L. Bacon of the church officiating. The eulogy will be brought by The Rev. Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey, Presiding Elder of the Capitol District, Washington, D.C. Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  The service will conclude with Committal Rites; and a private final farewell will be completed on Monday at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles, with Eastern Star Rites offered at 7:30 p.m.; and from Noon until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church.  Contributions in memory of Ruth may be made to Mount Calvary Baptist Church, http://mtcbcministries.net.  Online condolences may be left at: www.halbritterwickens.com